Situation along Ladakh is uneasy, 'no war no peace' status: IAF chief

No war, no peace along with Ladakh, said Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal R.K.S Bhadauria.

The geopolitical tension along the eastern Ladakh border with China remains uneasy, as China tries to capture the Indian territory and “India prepared for any eventuality,” the Air Chief said it’s no war no peace status along the LAC.

The geopolitical tension along the eastern Ladakh border with China remains uneasy, as China tries to capture the Indian territory and “India prepared for any eventuality,” the Air Chief said it’s no war no peace status along the LAC.

Airpower would be a crucial enabler in our victory of any future conflict. It was imperative that IAF obtained and maintained a technological edge over our adversaries, said the Air Force Marshal while addressing a webinar organized by the Centre for Air Power Studies and Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers.

The recent induction of Rafale fighters, along with C-17 aircraft, Chinook and Apache helicopters has provided IAF with substantial tactical and strategic capability.

India and China are engaged in a four-month-long standoff at the LAC in eastern Ladakh. Despite several levels of dialogue, there has not been any breakthrough and the deadlock continues.

"The IAF has responded with resolve to counter any misadventure. Airpower will be a crucial enabler in our victory in any future conflict. It is, therefore, imperative that IAF obtains and maintains a technological edge over our adversaries," Air Chief Marshal said.

Blaming China for violating LAC in Galwan valley on June 15 incident, another defence officers said that China has violated unilaterally defined LAC of 1959, an irregular demarcation that cuts through rivers and valleys never accepted by India, during the bloody clashes in Galwan valley on June 15.

He added that the recent induction of Rafale fighter jets along with C-17 transport aircraft, Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, Apache attack helicopters, and other aircraft fleets have provided IAF with "substantial tactical and strategic capability enhancement."

The IAF chief also said that the air force is looking at 450 new aircraft, including helicopters over the next two decades. "Not to count around 300 aircraft upgrades that will take place in this period," he said.

His comments assume significance as the Indian Air Force is struggling with its depleting combat strength, which is down to 31 squadrons against the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons.

To augment the force, five French-made multi-role Rafale fighter jets were inducted into the IAF on September 10 and three more are expected to join the airforce's Ambala-based Golden Arrows squadron by the end of next month. The delivery of 36 Rafale jets with India's specific enhancements is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021.

Recently, the air force has intensified its combat air patrol in eastern Ladakh after the Indian Army occupied strategic heights on the southern and northern bank of Pangong Tso.

(With agency inputs).